DIPR
Kohima, June 8
Forest fire is a recurrent phenomenon that is experienced in Nagaland during the dry and windy months. Such outbreaks are mostly man made, either set off intentionally during ‘jhum’ cultivation–also known as slash and burn cultivation–or inadvertently set off due to carelessness or negligence. Sometime, fires are set off by miscreants and hunters.
In the process, large tracts of forest land are destroyed. The outcome adversely affects not only local flora and fauna but also endanger human habitations and natural resources situated around such outbreaks. Also, forest fires take a heavy toll on the state’s exchequer in terms of the huge logistics involved in organizing man-power and machinery to fight the destruction flames and subsequently for restoration of the affected areas.An instance is particularly pertinent to the fragile Dzükou valley where fires are common in the valley vegetated largely dry bamboo bushes. In March this year, fire destroyed huge swathes of land in the valley. However, with concerted efforts, the fire was finally controlled after 4 days. Based on this experience, the following observations were made and recommended actions to be taken are:
• Check dams and reservoirs
These are needed to be constructed for storing water for use by choppers during times of forest fire instead of collecting from distant places so as to save time and money. One suggested location is around Dzüü river and Zero point area near Chakhabama.
Some minor check dams could also be constructed on perennial streams in and around the valley for manual fire-fighting utility. In this regard, action to be taken jointly by the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife and by the department of Soil & Water Conservation.
• Annual fire breaking task
Before the onset of fire season, i.e between November – January, fire breaking works which means segregation of thick forests from various hillocks and ranges in order to avoid mass destruction during fire break-outs. In this regard, action to be taken collectively by the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife and Fire & Emergency Services and local organizations (DC).
• Construction of watch-towers
Watch-towers could be constructed at strategic locations and local authorities or any responsible person/persons should keep strict vigil and take stringent measures against our-break of forest fires. Action to be taken by the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife.
• Basic equipments
Equipments like machetes, spades, shovel, generators and pipes to pump out water from nearby available water sources, helmets & masks are to be provided to fight fire.
Action to be taken by NSDMA and the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife.
The department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife should draw up a long term action plan and make provisions for relevant infrastructural facilities at Dzukou as suggested above to be taken by the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife.
The Forest department should frame rules and regulations for trekking and camping at Dzukou valley to avoid forest fire and to protect the biodiversity of the valley. The following points should form part of the regulation:-
i. Trekkers and campers to take prior permission from Forests department or concerned authority assigned to look after.
ii. All entry points should be manned by personnel from Forests department in collaboration with the community volunteers or youth organizations.
iii. All entry points should maintain a log book to keep track of the movement of trekkers or campers on entry and exit. Details such as mobile numbers and address of visitors should be kept for reference.
iv. Ceiling on the number of trekkers or campers at any given point of time should be prescribed by the Forests department. Actions are to be unertaken by the department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife
